Seven years after a crash changed his life, Ronnie “Tre” Lawson is teaching young students in Macon, Georgia, writing about his recovery, and planning a school in his hometown.
Lawson, an educator from Macon, survived a 2017 car crash that caused a spinal cord injury and is living beyond what doctors first expected. Since then, he has regained mobility, built a career in teaching, and shared his story through writing.
He was 17 when he was involved in the crash on the way home from a summer track meet. A friend who was driving fell asleep, causing the car to veer off the road and fall into a 30-foot ravine.
Lawson suffered a brain injury, an incomplete T12-L1 spinal cord injury, and abdominal trauma. The injuries resulted in a loss of sensation from the waist down.
In the months after the crash, Lawson said he faced serious mental health struggles and uncertainty about his future. He described a period when he questioned if he would survive, while relying on support from family, friends and faith to keep going.
According to 11Alive, Lawson later underwent rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Therapists there helped him relearn basic daily functions and rebuild strength.
Over time, his condition improved beyond initial expectations. He progressed to standing and walking short distances with assistance.
Lawson also continued his education during his recovery. He attended Fort Valley State University and graduated with honors in early childhood and special education. He later pursued graduate studies at Louisiana State University.
He began his teaching career in February 2021. Lawson now works in special education at Southfield Elementary School in Macon, where he teaches kindergarten and first-grade students.
He has said the classroom became a central part of his recovery and purpose through daily interaction with children.
In January, Lawson published a book titled The Hurdle That Broke Me. The book covers his life before and after the crash, including his injury, mental health challenges and the recovery process that followed.
He is also planning his next step in education. Lawson wants to open a school in Macon called Roll of Hope Academy to create more educational opportunities for students in his hometown while continuing his work in special education.
